"We are paid by the kilometre and our current rate is $2.86 including
HST. The TTC wants to cut our rate by 36 cents, to $2.50," said Ahmed
Ali, a spokesperson for the Wheelchair-licensed drivers.

"While our expenses increase, they want to impose a five-year contract
that pays less. That is completely unfair," Ali said.

"Gas is $1.40 per litre, we're paying more for maintenance and
insurance, and our vehicles - which cost $70,000 - need to be replaced
every five years. The TTC is starving us at these rates."

Wheelchair-licensed taxi drivers are not employees of the city or TTC.
They are contractors who are vulnerable to the TTC's unfair decisions
to restructure their contracts.

The drivers enjoy their work and appreciate the significant role they
play in bringing accessibility to Torontonians with disabilities. They
want to be able to do their jobs effectively and with dignity, while
earning a reasonable wage.

Documents obtained by the iTaxiworkers Association indicate the TTC
deliberately set the 30-cent rate reduction as a "cost-saving measure,"
ensuring the most-vulnerable workers in the transit system - taxi
drivers - bear the brunt of budget cutting.

"We stand up for taxi drivers who experience this kind of disrespect and
low wages while working so hard to try to make a decent living," said
Sajid Mughal, iTaxiworkers Association President. "This unfairness has
to stop."